[Pakistan Observer Dated June 17 2012]

Sunday, June 17, 2012 - Lahore—The Government College University Lahore (GCU) first-time gave away the scholarships of a record amount of Rs 20.127 million to the university’s deserving students besides cutting down its fee by 35 percent. “The scholarships are disbursed during the financial year 2011-12 among 939 needy students, who could not afford their academic expenses,” stated in the GCU Annual Scholarships Report presented by GCU Treasurer Shafiq Mughal to Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman on Saturday

The Vice Chancellor, despite the severe financial crunch and budget cuts, allocated the record amount from the university budget and GCU Endowment Fund Trust (EFT) and transparently disbursed it through GCU Scholarships & Financial Aid Committee head by Islamic Studies and Arabic Department Chairperson Dr. Sultan Shah

The report states that the scholarships of Rs 16.05 million were given away from the GCU Budget while Rs 4.077 were given to needy students from the donations of Old Ravians to GCUEndowment Fund Trust. “Budget cuts and no funds –this is what is being done to the universities, but we can’t do the same with our students who are highly talented but cannot afford their academic expenses,” said Vice Chancellor Prof. Khaleeq while commenting on the report

The Vice Chancellor said that ever year, more than 2000 students apply for financial aid at GCU and till 2010-11 maximum 400 students were granted scholarships. “But, this year we broke all the previous records and increased the allocation for scholarships by 150 percent and also reduced the university fee by 35 percent to facilitate students,” he added